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I'm 38 and have COPD - What's that all about !

sarahmurphy99 profile image
21 Replies

Just been to the doctors and have been diagnosed with COPD - I'm 38 and have the lungs of a 68 year old. So now I'm scared and embarrassed. I know loosing weight will help, but I'm so sick of hearing it lol !

I'm going to throw myself into my study would like to hear from any other people my age with this condition.

x Sarah x

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sarahmurphy99 profile image
sarahmurphy99
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21 Replies
lavender1 profile image
lavender1

Hi Sarah. I'm sure someone near your age will be on soon to speak to you. All I can say meantime is welcome - I am sixty seven and wonder if the lung arithmetic they do is relevant as I was diagnosed seven years ago and told I had the lungs of a 100 year old. Don't be scared or embarrassed and instead use your energy in looking after yourself and attending to your studies is my advice for what it's worth xx

sarahmurphy99 profile image
sarahmurphy99 in reply to lavender1

Thanks so much for your comment x x

I am sorry I am not your age nor a sufferer of COPD but my husband is a sufferer. There are lots of things you can do to help yourself so don't feel too low. It is a damn nuisance but you should still be able to live a happy fulfilled life. There are lots of people who can give you advise on here and perhaps you could ring the BLF helpline they would be able to advise you too. Good Luck - I am sure you are not the only 38 year old with COPD! Take good care. TAD xx

I know there is a 33 yr old on here but she hasn't posted latlely

Hi hon BLF helpline number is 03000 030 555.

Relax, take the advice you'll be given and you'll be fine with a long full life ahead of you...........IF you don't smoke.

Good luck,

Chris

Mmike110 profile image
Mmike110

Hi Sarah

I'm 39 and have had COPD for 6 years, currently I have yet another bout of pneumonia but I'll help you as much as I can, if you'd like to send me a message then please do.

Take care

Mike x

I don't have COPD but I have lung disease and was diagnosed when I had just turned 40 (2 and a bit years ago). Its a shock at any age but I think its heightened if you are younger. Losing weight and exercising will help. I have always been heavyish and lost weight whilst ill but put a fair bit back on with the meds I was given. I now swim 3 times a week and go to the gym 3 times a week and it has made a difference to not only how I feel physically but mentally too. By all means throw yourself into your study but take some time to think about what you can do to help yourself. You will be surprised. The hardest thing for me is watching sprightly 80 year olds wandering about - talk about jealous! ;-)

Marie

raptor profile image
raptor

IT realy does not matter what age you are,,the disease is just the same. Myself i am 63 male diagnosed 2years ago,,it is no respector of age,,and is still scary..Give the helpline a ph they will keep you right,they are brilliant,xx :)

copdber profile image
copdber

Hope your feeling a little less scared now. There's some great people on hear who will help in any way they can. I'm 54 diagnosed 3 years ago with copd. Do you smoke giving up is the best thing you can do to help yourself I know it's not easy to do especially when your feeling scared, but it's still the best thing to do.

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon

Hi and welcome.Sarah. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with emphysema. I'm 63 and my lung age is apparently 160. I laugh at the figures. They mean nothing. We are all different.

phillips1 profile image
phillips1

Welcome Sarah

I am 70 and was diagnosed 11 years ago with a lung age of 120. I am still going strong and still got all my marbles (I think). So you have got COPD. Just adjust your lifestyle accordingly. If you get a bit down come on here. We are all age groups and all suffering from various lung conditions. You will always get a warm welcome. Love from Bobby xx

erm... I'm only 54, but haven't as yet been diagnosed - still waiting to get the tests. However, for the last 15 years I've been treated for Asthma - which I only developed after a nasty bout of pneumonia.... So, if it is copd I've got, then it started when I was 39ish. Funny, but now I recall my GP at the time saying I'd be on oxygen by the time I was 50....

Yes, it's scary, but hey, we're all still around. I'm just a spring chick compared to some, not mentioning any names, eh, Bob aka phillips1 x x :d

phillips1 profile image
phillips1

Ah it's not the dog in the fight mate it's the fight in the dog. he he. I've still got all my fight. The hair's gone though. Love from Bobby xx

KingoftheCocktails profile image
KingoftheCocktails

Welcome Sarah .I do not do medication ,but I try to post a daily bit of humour.

Please read my blogs

Your daily tonic

Richard

KOTC

grannybell profile image
grannybell

I was diagnosed with COPD at age 42, that was 15 years ago and I'm still here. Give up smoking, start exercising and don't let it get you down. It's not the end of the world. x

sarahmurphy99 profile image
sarahmurphy99

Thanks so much everyone, I had just come back from the doc's and thought 'omg' have had a bit of time to think and your all right exercise and loose some weight and I'll be fine - Thank goodness I dont' smoke anymore x

Thanks everyone for your comments - so kind xx

I'm 38 and having symptoms just too chicken to see the pulmonologist. So I get it! Just know younger stronger than me if that counts for anything . And I totally get that 80 yr old comment. They did it right!

xNellx profile image
xNellx

32 with emphysema, stopping smoking, medication, exercise, one step at a time, you’ll get there!

Swim36156 profile image
Swim36156

I am 38 with first asthma ..than COPD.. Today i was in hospital with paperwork and treatment for emphysema.. I hv lungs of a 82 yr old.. Never smoked but 2nd hand smoke for 9 years did a number to me..im so overwhelmed..

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to Swim36156

Hi Swim36156 . 👋

Totally understand your feelings. I am 44 with lungs of a 95 year old. My lung disease is caused by an autoimmune disease that I have had for ten years. It is going to be hard to come to terms with it all, but slowly and surely you will. Have they mentioned lung transplant? What course of treatment are you currently on?

This post is five years old, so you may or may not receive a response. 😊 I hope you are having an okay week so far.

Take good care.

Cas xx 🍂

Ne33 profile image
Ne33

Hi SarahMurphy99 am 33 and am having symptoms of copd I had a spirometry test recently which was fine but am having symptoms such as wheezing tight chest breathless feel as if I can’t get enough air into my lungs, had a really bad chest infection about 3 months ago and haven’t felt right since. My doctor is not taking me seriously I feel this is because of my age.

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